Jamal Lewis, coming off a 1364-yard season, will probably carry a bigger load this year with Priest Holmes skipping off to Kansas City. Fifth-round draft pick Chris Barnes will fill the backup role and Derek Homer will also see time in the backfield.

Offensive tackle Leon Searcy was a nice addition, especially if he plays at the same level as before the knee injury that cost him the 2000 season. Mike Flynn will make the move from right guard to center, to fill the void left when Jeff Mitchell signed with the Panthers.

The Ravens have one of the best receiving tight ends in Shannon Sharpe, and with the last pick of the first round in this year's draft, they selected tight end Todd Heap from Arizona State. Heap was considered the best tight end in the draft, and he may have been a steal with the 31st pick. He is more of a tradition style of blocking tight end, so he should be a nice compliment to Sharpe.

One player to keep an eye on this season is second-year wide receiver Travis Taylor. He was on his way toward a good rookie season when he broke his collarbone in week nine. He may even push Quadry Ismail for a starting position.

Baltimore was fortunate to keep its record-setting defense mostly intact, re-signing defensive back Rod Woodson and linebacker Jamie Sharper. They also drafted cornerback Gary Baxter from Baylor in the second round. Right now he is listed as second on the depth chart at right cornerback behind Chris McAlister.

Overview

The Ravens are still a very solid team and probably significantly better on the offensive side of the ball, but they find themselves in the unique predicament of having cut the starting quarterback of their Super Bowl-winning team. If Grbac struggles, at all, out of the gate, the second-guessers will be all over the Ravens front office for letting Dilfer go.

I think the Ravens' offense will be better with Elvis on the stage and the defense will still be dominating, but everyone is shooting for the Ravens now. They will not sneak up on anyone this season, and they will have to deal with all the pressure that comes with being the Super Bowl Champion.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of the league attacks the Ravens now that they have had an entire off-season to dissect game films. Baltimore will certainly be in the divisional race all year, but I'm not convinced they will return to the Super Bowl.

AFC Central Prediction